We're
listing down my favorite tracks for this year. All of them figured much in my
phone's shuffled playlist or frequent browsing visits on Youtube. Most of these
songs were discovered via random FB posts or constant radio plays: I get
curious and ask, what song is that or who sung that song? So, without further
ado, here are the songs that made it to the list:

20.
Everything Has Changed by Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift (Red)

The
song's so heartfelt, you can't help but press replay. I love the fact that they're
doing nice duets. And no, Ed and Taylor are not dating. Yet. I hope they don't.
Hehe.

19.
Ho Hey by The Lumineers (The Lumineers)

It's
good The Lumineers released this as their first single. Ho
Hey is a folksy, catchy tune that's sure to attract listeners in need
of easy music. It's perfect for laidback or easy drives.

18.
If You Could See Me Now by The Script (#3)

Unlike
their other tracks, If You Could See Me Now stands out as a
song dedicated for the band members' deceased parents. The lyrics remain to
have the pain and heartbreak patented to the Irish band. While #3 showcased
a more alternative pop beat, my favorite album remains to be their sophomore
release, Science and Faith.

17.
Demons by Imagine Dragons (Night Visions)

When
I began listening to Imagine Dragon's album, I wasn't aware of
the song titles because they were on shuffle. The lyrics of the song already
caught my attention but it was a friend who randomly shared her favorite song
in the album that I got formally introduced to Demons. This track
has the right angst and when mashed with their equally amazing song, Radioactive,
the result is a smashing production number. In my opinion, I guess. Check out
their AMA Perf for a sample.

16.
Ain't It Fun by Paramore (Paramore)

Paramore's
one of the more bipolar alternative pop bands present market. We use bipolar in
a good way here. They produce records that's full of anger, metal-lish riffs
and pounding drums (Misery Business, That's What You Get), relatively
quiet tracks (My Heart) to something fun and quirky (Still Into You). Ain't
It Fun has elements of each; we can't really place the band's brand of
music. Suffice to say that it "chooses its own audience," in the
words of another friend, from time to time.

15.
Clarity by Zedd ft. Foxes (Clarity)

Summer's
biggest tune figures in this list because mainly of that achievement. It was
only until later that I got hooked into this song; until after I listened to
the lyrics. The Voice Season 4 runner-up Michelle Chamuel has a fairly decent
cover for this overly-covered song.

14.
Same Love by Macklemore ft. Mary Lambert (The Heist)

Another
song that I appreciated later than others. I loved how Macklemore, a straight,
white hiphop rapper, was able to send a strong message of support to the
LGBTQIA community. This, considering the usual stereotypes of homophobia we
usually associate with the hiphop community. It adds another layer of sincerity
and cred when we learn that collaborator Mary Lambert experienced gender
discrimination firsthand. "I'm not crying on Sundays" speaks
volumes of how much the advocacy has progressed in terms of acceptance and how
much more we'll need to work on in the future. Straight but not narrow. :)

13.
Red by Taylor Swift (Red)

I was
a Swifter ever since Teardrops On My Guitar. Huge fan after You
Belong With Me. Swift's songs may be marketed for young girls and country
music fans but it's evident that she attracted more. They became anthems for
many who can relate to her ~genuine lyrics.

12.
Royals by Lorde (The Love Club/Pure Heroine)

It
almost got into the same ~hyped state as Gotye's Somebody That I Used
To Know, except Pink's Just Give Me A Reason already got
that place. Don't get me wrong, I loved both previously mentioned song, I just
don't get why they get so much airtime when there are others that are also
good. Anyway, Lorde's Royals has so much swag in terms of
melody and lyrics. I loved how it attacked the music industry's diva/queen bee
attitude.

11.
Love Somebody by Maroon 5 (Overexposed)

Maroon
5's becoming too pop and mainstream but I wouldn't really care for now. Their
new album have more ok songs than stand out ones, relative to theor previous
releases. Love Somebody's a good club filler or a nice
roadtrip song. It's like Daylight, only sexier. Haha.

10.
Lego House by Ed Sheeran (+)

Ed
Sheeran's a charming redhead with a nice, soothing voice. He's not too
~cloying, maybe because his brand of acoustic music is too good to be compared
with others in the industry. Lego House was on the loop for
quite sometime until I got too ~sentimental I switched to more upbeat songs in
his debut album. Also, Ron Weasley as the obsessed fan was the music vid's plus
factor.

9. We
Can't Stop by Miley Cyrus (Bangerz)

The
tail-end of this year became quite overwhelming for me in terms of school reqs
and annoying people at work so Miley's ditty was an apt description for the
feelings I had that time. It's like raising your middle finger to annoying
stuff done with classy swag. Char. Haha!

8. Heart
Attack by Demi Lovato (Demi)

Heart
Attack became
the impromptu theme song for our HK trip, only because our friend belted it one
time while we're busy arranging out things at the dorm. Haha! After that, we
felt heart attack for every sale item we see during the trip. Hahaha! And yes,
Demi's vocals were just damn good in this song.

7. Wrecking
Ball by Miley Cyrus (Bangerz)

Sorry,
two songs from Miley. Only because her AMA Perf of Wrecking Ball,
with nothing but a mopey-eyed cat on the background, elicited so much feels and
became one of the more heartbreaking moments on TV. Char ulet.

6.
Treasure by Bruno Mars (Unorthodox Jukebox)

My
brother and I immediately fell in love with Bruno's Treasure the
first time we heard it at a party. After that, it figured into my usual morning
playlist while working. The music vid's 70's-inspired feel was also something I
like. This song's indeed a treasure.

5.
Wake Me Up by Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc

This
song just had the right mix into it: lyrics, melody, and vocals. "I
wish that I could stay this young, not afraid to close my eyes. Life's a game
for everyone and love is the prize." It recently got mainstream
airtime which is both ok and not so ok, I guess. Hehe.

4.
Fader by Temper Trap (Conditions)

I
just love this soooong. Of course, I won't pretend to know every song from
Temper Trap's album. The fact that it was released last 2010 and I discovered
them just now (?!) makes me a late blooming fan. It's enough to say that
everytime I hear this song, it gets me energized.

3.
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons (Night Visions)

The
fact that the song was played with gongs in it was already awesome. The lyrics
adds flavor and the Dan Reynold's cracked up vocals made this track more
amazing. Rolling Stone dubbed this as the biggest rock hit for 2013 and
Billboard called Imagine Dragons as the Breakthrough Band for 2013. 'Nuff cred,
no? :)

2.
Brave by Sara Bareilles (Blessed Unrest)

I
always say that Sara is one of the more underrated music artists in the
industry. After getting attention from Love Song, she went sort of
underground again, until after King of Anything got some
airtime. And then Brave, a song for a friend who's having a hard
time coming out, got positive reviews. It's seeming similarity with Katy
Perry's Roar only boosted its success. The album also has its
share of good tracks. I'm happy that Sara's getting the praise she deserves.
It's just about time.

1.
Counting Stars by OneRepublic (Native)

Ryan
Tedder's songwriting skillz' just great. Burning Bridges should
have figured in this list but Counting Stars was more ear
candy for me. The whole album's actually a good playlist already. And I loved
how great they sound live. They should do a repeat perf here in Manila. :)